Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Lots Of Blocks


A day patched with quilting seldom unravels.
~author unknown

Yesterday was quiet except for the whir of my sewing machine.  There was a bunch of repetitive sewing of blocks and it was a little mind numbing.  However, I did get most of the way through another audio book.  Both pups slept the day away while Mom sewed.  I had to stop a couple of times to give the requested hugs and kisses during the day - but I don't mind those kind of interruptions.  The weather did cool down just the tiniest little bit and we were able to have the windows open for a couple of hours before the heat started seeping in.  All in all, until the main computer crashed.  I was prepping today's post and all of a sudden I was getting 'Critical System' notifications.  Why does this happen to me?  So today the main computer goes into the shop and I have to work from the laptop.  I guess I shouldn't complain, at least I have a backup device to work on.  How about you?  Did your week start out the way you had hoped? 

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Pecan Pie

Today, July 12, is National Pecan Pie Day.  Tradition holds that the French created pecan pie soon after settling in New Orleans, after being introduced to the nut by Native Americans. But attempts to trace the origin of this dessert have not found any recipes earlier than 1925, and well-known cookbooks such as Fannie Farmer and The Joy of Cooking did not include it before 1940.
Pecans have their origins in prehistory. The discovery of fossil remains along with millions of native pecan trees found along most major streams and irrigation canals in Texas and the northern part of Mexico showing that this is the original home of the pecan, and that it spread north and east from this area. This also indicates that the pecan was here and producing long before Native Americans came there.
Pecan pie is considered a southern dish, and while it is still more popular in the south, it is also commonly eaten throughout the United States. The southern states produce over 250 million pounds of pecans each year, with Texas and Georgia pecan groves comprising the majority of that amount. Since pecan trees are native to the south and fresh pecans are readily available throughout the region, pecan pie and other pecan desserts have always been more prevalent, and thus more popular, in the southern United States.

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BLOCKS, BLOCKS AND MORE BLOCKS

Yesterday I sat at my sewing machine making blocks.........

82 blocks to be exact.  I'm making a variation of a quilt called Dora from the book, 3 Times the Charm!  I am using 2 charm packs of Hoopla by moda.  Today comes the laying out of the blocks into some soft of random prettiness.  Wish me luck.

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BREAD BASKET SWAP

Last week we found out who our swap partners were in the Bread Basket Swap.  This swap was organized by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.  Yesterday the mailman brought me a squishy....

This wonderful bread basket was made by my friend, Sharon.  She is the author of the fun and interesting blog known as Vrooman's Quilts.  If you haven't checked out her blog, then please take the time to see all of the beautiful work that Sharon creates.  Anyway......Sharon also included some great extras.....

Along with the darling little note card, Sharon included two great fat quarters and lots of little teapot and teacup embellishments.  I can see a mug rug decorated with those darling little blue creations.  Thank you so very much, Sharon for the beautiful bread basket and all of the little extras!!

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FMQ PRACTICE

Yesterday I cut out and sandwiched four 12" squares to begin free motion quilting practice.

I am going to use the website The Free Motion Quilting Project by Leah Day.  I plan on trying a different block each day starting with her Beginner Filler Designs.  I hope starting off easy with one block a day will help me get started in the right direction.  I will also be checking out a couple of other recommendations for learning to fmq by some of my blogger friends.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will start my day with a fmq block as I plan to do each day (well, five days a week) and then layout and hopefully start sewing together the blocks for the Dora quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is having a giveaway.  You could win a banner kit featuring Darlene Zimmerman's 2011 Clothesline Club Prints or two back-issues of Australian Patchwork & Quilting.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 15, at 9:00 pm CST.

The Noble Wife is having a giveaway.  Jacquelynne is giving away an autographed copy of her new book, Fruitful Hands.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13, at noon EDT.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a five spool pack of Auriful thread.  Lynne will announce 10 winners on Monday, July 18.

Spotted Stone is having a giveaway. You have a chance to win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies. This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13, Alaska time.
Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Mystery Monday fun and giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters in your favorite colors.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13, at midnight mountain time.

Ellison Lane Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 14.
Happy Quilting is celebrating their one year anniversary with a giveaway.  You could win a stunning Fat Quarter Pack of Wrenly.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 17.

Scraps A Plenty is ready to send the Traveling Stash on it's way.  The box includes a quilt kit, patterns galore, and cute fabrics and so much more.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 15, at midnight.

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FINAL THOUGHT

My fingers are on the keys but there's nothing going from my brain to the keyboard.  I guess I didn't have enough brain stimulation today.  Lots of randomness but nothing worthwhile to write amount.  Let's see......I wonder how long the main computer will be in the shop........DH got a Wii Fit - we'll see how long before he injures himself......nothing, nothing, nothing.......hmmmm, I hear the police helicopter going in circles nearby - probably won't ever hear what that's about.......nothing more.  Guess that means it's time for me to get going on my day.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have some thoughts for you :)

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
~ Abraham Lincoln

21 comments:

sunny said...

I love your randomness! sometimes I think I want to blog, but my mind goes blank when I try to start writing. Have a great day!

Linda said...

There is a pecan orchard just down the road from me. It seems that pecans bear about every other years. So some years there are plenty to be had. The following year is slim pickin's. My mother has about 12 pecan trees. My sisters MIL makes a pecan pie that brings about $150 every year in a silent auction!
Your little bread basket is really cute! Love the teapot buttons!!!

Cheryl said...

Thank you for the link to the FMQ site. I will spend some time there too! Have fun.

Barbara said...

Pecan Pie is my favorite, thanks for including that in your post! Congratulations Linda, you've been very busy and accomplished a lot. Sometimes it takes having the time to ourselves to really get into it. So many possibilities. The bound quilt is lovely! I love those little tea charms, and can totally see them embellishing one of my spirit dolls! Have a good rest of the week.

Anne said...

Wow, Linda, you certainly did piece a pile of blocks! I have no doubt that your arrangement of those perfectly pieced blocks will be beautiful!

My day started out wonderfully! I drove to the little quilt/sewing shop in Hot Springs Village, about a half-hour away, and picked up the Bernina sewing machine I won! The quilt shop owner and her colleagues celebrated with me. I had my photo taken with the owner, and she said she'll include it in her next newsletter.

I haven't had a chance to play with my new machine. I had to work yesterday, but I will put it through its paces today. I'll have to find a place in my sewing room for it.

Hope your computer will be back soon. My son has been working as an intern in Dillard's IT department. He loves his job, and I love that I have my own tech support living under my roof! It's so frustrating when a computer refuses to cooperate.

Can't wait to see your progress with the FMQ. You inspire me to have plans for each day and stick to them! Hope you have a marvelous, productive day!

krisgray said...

Funny you mention computer troubles. I use our laptop as only it recognizes the card from the Sony camera that I use. Well, it will not open a web page. So I have pix for my blog that I cannot access. And with my daily duties plus consulting report to write, the blog update I had in mind for this week may not happen. We are under a heat advisory, so if DS is playing well alone, I may get a chance to take a few pics on the other camera and use the desktop.

Wendy said...

You've been very productive, can't wait see the blocks in a quilt.

Needled Mom said...

I think I need to make a pecan pie for dinner tonight!

Your FMQ blocks are going to be so much fun. I can't wait to see your work.

Hope the computer works better soon!!

Melissa ;-) said...

Good luck on the FMQ practice. That has been on my "want to do list" for soooo long!

Michele said...

Sorry to hear about your computer troubles....nice that you have a back up! Thanks for the Pecan Pie knowledge :-) what a fun post!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Great idea on the FMQ practic - hope you share your progress - tips and woes. I love pecans but not pecan pie - too sweet! Love the pile of blocks photo. Enjoy your day - I am just melting today.

Jen said...

Wow, that is a whole lotta blocks! I can't wait to see which block you picked for the Hoopla fabric. Are those the charm square you won from my birthday? I still have mine. Since I won't be doing Birdie Stitches, I have to find a new use for them ;)

Can't wait to see your FMQ practice. Make sure to relax! It's easy to get all tense and tight when you first start, so make sure to stop and unwind and relax whenever you think of it.

Raewyn said...

That's a great day's sewing - getting all those blocks done! I think I need to do what you have done and make myself a pile of sandwiches to practise my FMQ--- when I did the 14 day challenge I improved so much. Hope your computer is not toooooo unwell!

Vesuviusmama said...

What a wonderful squishy! I want to see that random prettiness - that photo of the blocks was such a tease! But 82 blocks in one day- I'm in awe!

quiltzyx said...

82 blocks in one day? Good job Linda!! I'm looking forward to seeing them put together.

Sorry your computer was running with scissors. It's amazing how dependent we've become on them, isn't it?

What a nice squishie you got from Sharon. I can just see it full of...warm sourdough bread? Warm croissants? Sweet rolls? All of the above? LOL

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

Its Pecan Pie day?? Damn its too late for me to run to the store and get one. I knew I should have slacked off and read blogs instead of working!! ha ha

Fiona said...

Oh - I love pecan pie - and it loves my hips... lovely breadbasket and goodies with it...
Hugz

Barbara said...

Enjoy your FMQ. I think you'll see that it's not as difficult as you might think. Leah Day's website is so helpful, and her designs are great.

Cheryll said...

I'm so glad you shared a pic of your bread basket with us. Sharon did a great job...and I LoVe the buttons! Thanks for playing along! Cheers :)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

My week started with a storm and power outage most of Monday. That put me behind for the week. Oh well.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I forgot to mention that I love those little teapot/teacup buttons. I collect teapots. (see my blog). I can't wait to see the mug rug you make with them.

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